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Our blog is a resource of technical expertise, strategical know-how and the occasional business rant…
Hospitality Job Crisis
4 min read
The Hospitality industry now finds itself facing a jobs crisis. Figures suggest more than one in ten workers left the industry last year.
#SaveMySeat Campaign
3 min read
We’ve launched the #SaveMySeat campaign to help customers understand that when a local indie asks you for a small deposit on booking it’s simply their way of safeguarding their business and protecting their future.
Looking after your team
6 min read
Whilst we look forward to what we hope will be the busiest summer on record for most we should also be thinking about how we can show our appreciation to our teams and avoid burnout.
What is the future of the high street?
6 min read
The high street is changing, no doubt about it. What might it look like in 5, 10, 20 years from now. How will retail be shaped by COVID?
How important is sustainability to hospitality consumers?
4 min read
Sustainability will become a key focus over the next several years. But do you really know what your customer expects from your brand?
What is Natasha’s law
8 min read
The UK Food Information Amendment, which is also known as Natasha’s Law, comes into effect from October 2021. Here’s how it will affect your food business.
The ‘Guest-Centric’ Mindset – what does guest-centric mean?
7 min read
As we look towards reopening for what we hope will be the final time, take this opportunity to really listen to your guests. Get closer-than-ever to your customers and understand what they think, feel, say and most importantly what they want.
The budget 2021 – the highlights for hospitality, retail, leisure and us
7 min read
The Budget 2021 was a mixed bag. There was optimism, support and good news but also glaring misses and despair for some.
Build Back Better
7 min read
What can independent hospitality businesses do to build back better as the lockdown ends and the market reopens.
What the rent moratorium really means for independents
6 min read
There may be rent moratorium in place, but what does that really mean? Does it offer the protection for tenants that we’re led to believe?
Government should use the COVID19 vaccine to partially redeem its poor communication
3 min read
Gov has an opportunity to partially redeem itself by publishing an economy reopening roadmap which is directly linked to the COVID19 vaccination roll-out.
How many first aiders do I need?
7 min read
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981) say employers must make sure there are ‘adequate and appropriate’ first aid plans.
What does a fire warden do?
11 min read
Have you appointed fire wardens in your business but unsure what they should be doing, let’s take a look at some of the tasks they might undertake.
Guidance when switching to a takeaway
7 min read
A lot of restaurants are now switching from operating as a restaurant to a takeaway only. Consider these additional food safety/food hygiene measures.
Five steps for a food-safe festive period
12 min read
If you’re a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, hotel, or any other type of food and drink businesses, you’re about to enter one of your busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, that also means you’re about to enter one of your highest-risk periods as well.
Thyme (Oxton)
8 min read
Thyme in Oxton is all about independent business, local produce, super customer service and happy staff – Sean, the GM tells us more.
How to offer a takeaway or delivery service during lockdown v2.0
9 min read
Lockdown 2.0 is here and hospitality must close to the public, but you can offer food and drink using takeaway or delivery methods.
Liverpool Arts Bar
8 min read
Alex, Ben, Jordan and Tom opened the Arts Bar to celebrate the creative industry with other creatives, we spoke with them to hear more.
Ropes and Twines
9 min read
We spoke with the coffee and Wine specialist on Bold St in Liverpool city centre about doing sustainable and ethical business.
Organico
8 min read
We caught up with Otto, Co-Founder of Organico on Bold Street who told us all about the healthy new offering in place there.
The Brain Charity
8 min read
We spoke Tui about the amazing work that The Brain Charity does, how Covid-19 has affected the organisation and you can help.
La Famiglia
11 min read
We spoke with Giuseppe, Co-Founder of La Famiglia Italian restaurant in liverpool City Centre about his vision for the business.
How to wash your hands properly
6 min read
How to wash your hands properly. The first step to protecting yourself against Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infections.
The Bridewell and Denbigh Castle
8 min read
We spoke to Owner/Operator of The Bridewell and Debigh Castle Pubs about lockdown, safety measures and Covid restrictions.
Neighbourhood Cafe
7 min read
We spoke with Lynne, Owner of Neighbourhood Cafe in Woolton, South Liverpool about suburbs, groceries, careers and community.
VietNom
7 min read
We spoke with Mel, Co-Founder of Vietnamese restaurant Vietnom in Liverpool, about food, life, business and a culture.
Free State Kitchen
6 min read
We spoke to Kate, Owner of Free State Kitchen in Liverpool to find out more about her venue, offering and plans for the future.
CityStop Apartments
8 min read
Looking for a dog-friendly aparthotel in Liverpool City Centre? Look no further than independent operator CityStop.
Are dogs allowed in restaurants, bars and coffee shops?
7 min read
It’s international dog day on 26th August, so let’s ask – what are the rules on taking dogs into hospitality venues in the UK?
Salt House Bacaro
7 min read
We spoke to Bryson, GM of Salt House Bacaro on Castle St in Liverpool about reopening after Covid lockdown.
Carlisi
6 min read
Carlisi is an authentic taste of Sicily, in the heart of Liverpool. We spoke to Alessio about his business and managing Covid-19.
Face masks mandatory from 24th July in shops and takeaways
2 min read
From 24th July 2020, customers must wear a face covering when inside a takeaway or shop.
What’s the difference between a risk and a hazard?
6 min read
These two terms are often misunderstood and used in the wrong circumstance. A hazard and risk are two separate things, let’s take a look.
Business decisions vs life decisions
9 min read
Sparked by a conversation with Dalip Matta on the podcast. Liam is thinking about how the two live together (and sometimes fight with one another).
Founders don’t get breaks.
9 min read
That’s what I told myself, but is it the best way to manage a business? Last week I took my first real break from the business, here’s what happened.
Turncoat
7 min read
We sat with Terry, our client and owner of Turncoat Gin Distillery to talk about the new Turncoat Gin Bar opened this month at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.
Lessons learned as a Founder (so far)
8 min read
Starting a new business has been the biggest professional challenge of my life so far. I’ve learnt a lot along the way, here’s what I wish I would of known before I started.
How often should you run a fire evacuation drill?
4 min read
Fire drills are a legal requirement under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but not only that, it makes perfect sense to practice your evacuations for a number of reasons.
Client Focus – LEAF Portland Street (Manchester)
8 min read
We spoke to Linda, the GM of Leaf in Manchester to talk tea.
Client focus – One Fine Day
9 min read
Situated right in the centre of the Liverpool business district, One Fine Day offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
What to include in induction training
5 min read
Unfamiliarity increases health and safety risk. Broadly speaking there are two ways in which an employee can be unfamiliar. The first is an unfamiliarity with an environment or space, the second is an unfamiliarity with a role or task.
7 most common hazards in hospitality
9 min read
When assessing the hazards that exist in your workplace, you can give yourself a head start by understanding the most common ones that appear in your type of workplace.
Client focus – Maray
8 min read
Named after Le Marais, a vibrant neighbourhood located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, Maray brings a tasteful piece of Parisian culture to the people of Liverpool.
Major food allergens – what are they?
7 min read
There are 14 major allergens which need to be communicated to the customer, either on a label or through provided information such as menus.
What are food hygiene ratings?
6 min read
Food Hygiene Ratings are important. Customers make decisions on where to eat and drink based on them, do you understand them well enough?
How will Brexit affect Health and Safety in the UK?
3 min read
What’s going to happen after Brexit? Which UK health and safety legislation will be affected and how?
What is employers liability insurance?
6 min read
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees while they are at work. This means you must put in place reasonable steps to prevent them getting injured or ill, but you must also put steps in place for them to to be protected if they do sustain an injury or illness – an injury or illness which is the liability of work they’ve undertaken for your business.
How to write a health and safety policy
5 min read
Policy writing doesn’t sound fun and sounds like a huge task when first considered by employers. But it’s absolutely critical to your business health and safety, it’s step 1 in your plan to improving health and safety.
Who needs health and safety training and when?
8 min read
Providing health and safety training in the workplace is one of the must-do actions placed on employers by health and safety law and it’s no wonder really, as correct training has been proven to have one of the biggest impacts on increasing health and safety performance in the workplace.
5 steps of a Risk Assessment
7 min read
A large part of managing the health and safety of your business is controlling the risks in your workplace. This is one the activities which is a must-do – health and safety law does require it and it does by way of a risk assessment.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
4 min read
9 things your business must do to be health and safety compliant
10 min read
For a small-medium sized business owner, who might be juggling a collection of plates and managing several departments, it can be quite a daunting and confusing task to understand what health and safety actions are required of them.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
14 min read
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation which deals with workplace health and safety in Great Britain.
E-learning vs Classroom learning
4 minute read
Classroom and e-learning are different tools for different applications. In most cases, when a beginner is learning any topic, classroom training should be preferred.
Government to add CPR and First Aid to the School Curriculum
5 min read
Last week on 3rd January 2019 The Education Secretary Damian Hinds highlighted the importance of every child having the chance to learn life-saving first aid skills.